Allometric relationships of Patella vulgata L. Shell characters at three adjacent sites at Sandwick Bay in Orkney

Summary

The allometric relationships between a variety of shell characters were studied for three populations of Patella vulgata L. from different sites at Sandwick Bay, Orkney. Differences in relative dimensions of the animals between sites were related to specific environmental factors. Individuals from an area of high desiccation stress and poor feeding grew relatively taller with respect to length than those where desiccation stress was minimal and there was improved feeding; the breadth of shells did not vary significantly between sites. Differences in shell weight relationships between sites and between ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ within sites were described.